Apr 24, 2008

Suicide claims two men who shared one heart

This story is about two men who shared the same heart, were married to the same woman and their lives both ended in suicide.

After Terry Cottle killed himself more than 12 years ago, his heart beat on in former Hilton Head Island resident Sonny Graham.

Grateful for the transplant that saved his life, Graham wrote to thank the Cottle family.

Through that correspondence, he met Cheryl Cottle, his donor's widow. Then the unexpected happened -- they fell in love and married.

Earlier this week, the unexpected happened again, when Graham's life ended the same way Terry Cottle's did.

On Tuesday, Graham took his own life at his home in Vidalia, Ga. He was 69.

Last Friday the heart that gave two men life was finally laid to rest.

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